Lots of individuals really love winter! Well, if you need to go somewhere, it can definitely be difficult. Or if you’re not properly prepared. But there are lots of fun things to do in those chillier winter months.
Don’t believe it? Well, here are only a few examples of how cold weather can be enjoyable: you could go sledding or skiing. You could have some fun on a snowmobile! You could head out onto the ice for some ice skating or ice fishing. With the correct gear, winter can be just as much of an outdoor season as spring, summer, or fall (and the hot cocoa is so much more rewarding when you’ve been outside in the cold).
But the secret here is using the right gear. Perhaps you’re wondering if your hearing aid counts as part of that gear and whether it will be impacted by the cold. Will the cold damage my hearing aids?
Most hearing aids are manufactured to be all-weather… to a point
Hearing aids are made to be used full-time. They’re constructed so you can wear them to the supermarket, out for a hike, or just around the house. The manufacturers of these devices are well aware that they need to have a robust construction. We don’t suggest you do anything drastic with your hearing aids, just keep in mind that they’re made to go along with you throughout your normal daily tasks.
Consequently, most hearing aids are manufactured to be somewhat “all-weather”. Most hearing aids can operate quite well between the temperatures of -13 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit. There are some spots that will sometimes go below -13 but otherwise, that covers the broad spectrum of temperatures.
You will be capable of hearing well in most settings and that’s a wonderful thing. So why don’t my hearing aids seem to work as well when it’s very cold? Well, drops in temperature will put stress on your devices, so while they might work, they might not work optimally.
Guidelines for hearing aids in the winter
Luckily, there are some things you can do to help ensure your hearing aids continue to work at peak efficiency (or near enough) even in cold weather.
- Keep your hearing aids somewhere warm and dry when you aren’t wearing them: This will help stop moisture from causing issues with your hearing aids. You’re most likely asking: “How do I eliminate moisture from my hearing aids”? Normally, you can wipe it down and allow it to air dry in a warm spot.
- Utilize accessories to keep your hearing aids strapped to your ears: There are all manner of straps and clips you can make use of to make sure your hearing aids stay in place. If you’re participating in any strenuous activities like snowboarding or sledding, this is particularly relevant.
- It’s helpful to wear a hat or earmuffs: Wearing earmuffs or a hat will keep both your ears and your hearing aid warm. And the warmer your hearing aids are, the more optimally they’ll be functioning. Your next question might be: can I wear ear muffs on top of my hearing aid without affecting my hearing? Well, it depends on the hearing aid, but in most cases, your hearing aids will still keep working.
- Try not to let your hearing aid wet: Be careful not to get snow on your hearing aid because when snow melts, things get wet. If you’re going to ask, “Well, can I use hearing aids when it’s snowing or raining”? Yes, you can. Most hearing aids are water resistant but not usually waterproof. So while your hearing aid will probably be fine if it gets a little wet, you should dry it as soon as possible.
- We can help ensure your hearing aid fits correctly: Hearing aids can sometimes become uncomfortable when they’re cold. Decrease any possible discomfort by getting help from us with the fit of your device.
- Be certain you have freshly charged batteries: Can hearing aid batteries freeze? Well, not really. But cold weather can drain your batteries faster than warm weather. This means you’ll want to make certain you have a full charge before going out into any inclement weather.
Maybe you’re wondering how to protect your hearing aids when it gets cold. That’s precisely what we’re going to find out.
If your hearing aid stops working, what should you do?
Occasionally, unfortunately, your hearing aid will quit working even when the weather is warm and dry. You can take a few basic steps to troubleshoot your device (for example, make sure the batteries are charged and that your devices are nice and dry). If you still aren’t able to figure out why they’re not working, we should be able to assist you with that.
You can still enjoy life even in the cold!
There are plenty of reasons why you may want to stay inside when it’s -10 degrees outside. Maybe you’re not a winter person. Possibly you’re going to cook yourself some nice hot soup. Perhaps you aren’t a big fan of snowmobiles. The important thing is that it shouldn’t be your hearing aids that are preventing you from living your best winter life.
That’s particularly true if you take care of your devices, and follow the guidelines outlined above. If you have any questions about how cold weather may effect the performance of your hearing aids, talk to us today!